Chapter 59#
Playing a Role: Little Pei Goes to Enzhou (Part 2)#
“What kind of place is Baimei Fang?”
Pei Xiting toyed with the bamboo snake in his hand. Before him sat a young man, about twenty or so, with an oily, foppish face. At the question, that powdered face gave a suggestive smile, and Pei Xiting understood. “A brothel,” he said.
New business came into the toy shop. The man called out and went to greet the customer—a chubby little boy. He lifted the child and bounced him a couple of times, saying, “Kid, you’ve gotten fat again. What good stuff has your mother been feeding you lately?”
Yuan Fang stood behind Pei Xiting with his arms crossed, taking the opportunity to say, “Aren’t you here to fight bandits?”
“Fight bandits?” Pei Xiting pointed at himself, his expression blank. “Me?”
In Pei Xiting’s own words, he was a weakling. Yuan Fang immediately revised his phrasing. “I think you definitely have some purpose,” he said.
Originally, Pei Xiting hadn’t planned to come to Enzhou. He’d only intended to use Mei Xiu as a variable to change Zong Rui’s fate. But after what happened that night, he figured he might as well take a trip and stay away from the Crown Prince for a while, giving himself time to seriously think about their relationship.
“Fighting bandits is the Crown Prince ’s job. We’ve got no part in that. But I heard Enzhou’s been having a string of disappearances lately, and most of them are children.” Pei Xiting lowered his eyes. “I think people who kidnap and abduct kids deserve to die a hundred times over. Since we’re here, we might as well lend a hand and try to look into it.”
Though Pei Xiting’s tone was light, there was a chill beneath it, revealing deep disgust. Yuan Fang glanced at his indifferent profile but said nothing.
Soon, the man returned, leaning over the wooden counter. “Hey, are you with the authorities?”
Pei Xiting looked up and gave the man a pleasant smile. “What do you think I look like?”
The man gave Pei Xiting a once-over and laughed. “Like a pampered young master from a wealthy family. But you’ve got a lot of tricks up your sleeve—not easy to fool.”
Pei Xiting didn’t confirm or deny it. He pinched the small head of the bamboo snake and said, “Does selling information here require knowing the buyer’s identity or background?”
“My dear sir, no businessman wants to stir up trouble, right?” The man glanced at Pei Xiting, then at Yuan Fang, and sighed. “I know. Today, I have no choice but to sell. Otherwise, this big brother behind you—ah no, this ‘grand uncle’—could make me die and come back to life several times over in an instant, reincarnating seven or eight times.”
“I’m just here to do business with you—fair price, clean transaction, then I’m gone. I won’t cause you any trouble.” Pei Xiting tapped the man’s hand with the snake’s head and said flatly, “You run a toy shop and talk to your little customers with extra warmth and patience. You must really like kids, right? I’m guessing you can’t be indifferent to those missing children. You’re just not capable enough to do anything, so you have to play it safe and mind your own business.”
The man rubbed the back of his head but didn’t answer. He simply said, “That Baimei Fang is a brothel in the city. It’s been around for years, but from what I know, over the past half year, there have always been strangers coming and going—not ordinary customers, but people of unknown origin, clearly not common folk. They go there to do business.”
Pei Xiting understood. “You mean it’s a cover?”
The man nodded. “Brothels and gambling houses are always bustling, especially at night. All kinds of shady characters hide there—perfect for exchanging information and making deals.”
Pei Xiting asked, “What kind of deals?”
“Peerless power,” the man said with a mysterious smile. “Whatever you ask for, you get.”
Pei Xiting said, “Oh? Then what if I want to be emperor? Will that work?”
“…” The man said, “Boss, don’t joke around.”
“So it’s false advertising, just a bluff.” Pei Xiting let out a sneer, twirling the snake head thoughtfully. Then he said, “Going straight for a deal would alert the enemy, wouldn’t it?”
“Yes,” the man said. “That’s why you need a go-between and a referral token.”
Pei Xiting rested his chin on his hand and looked at the man. “Name your price.”
“I won’t take this job, and I can’t do it. But I can sell you a lead.” The man pointed outside. “Those beggars on the street—go take a look. The one with the shifty eyes in their den is your guy.”
With that, he extended his hand. “I won’t set a price for you. Just give me something as a token.”
Yuan Fang’s presence was indeed intimidating. Pei Xiting smiled, pulled a banknote from his sleeve, and placed it in the man’s hand. “This is for the information. And this—”
He added another note. “I’d like to hire you to find someone for me.”
The man stared at the thousand-tael note, his Adam’s apple bobbing. “Who?”
“Zhang Dazhuang,” Pei Xiting said.
The man raised an eyebrow, testing the waters. “There’s a Zhang Dazhuang on Damang Mountain.”
“That’s the one,” Pei Xiting said. “I want to make a deal with him. You set up a meeting for me.”
The man hesitated. “A meeting for five hundred taels?”
“Bandits are dangerous. I know you’ve got connections, but I’m not taking advantage of you.” Pei Xiting asked, “Deal or not?”
The man gripped the notes. “Deal!”
“Make it quick. I’ll be waiting for your word. This is mine now.” Pei Xiting got up and pocketed the little bamboo snake toy.
The two of them left the toy shop, exited the alley, and found the beggars’ den sitting by the street.
Pei Xiting scanned them and spotted a scrawny kid with big, darting eyes. He tilted his head slightly toward Yuan Fang and said, “It’s him.”
“Looks like him,” Yuan Fang said. “How are you going to ask?”
That was the problem. If the contact and the organization were either collaborators or subordinates, alarming them would be bad. Pei Xiting paced around Yuan Fang with his hands on his hips. “Hey, do you guys have any underworld code words to prove you’re in the same boat and lower the other person’s guard?”
“No need.” Yuan Fang strode toward the beggars’ den, and Pei Xiting quickly followed.
“Oh! You two gentlemen look like the luckiest, richest people ever. Even a bit of your spit would be enough to fill us up!” The scrawny kid held out a broken bowl, looking up at them with eager eyes. “May you rise in rank and wealth, sirs! Please show some charity!”
Pei Xiting glanced at the group of beggars, all looking starved and desperate. He pulled a few bits of silver from Yuan Fang’s waist and tossed them into one of the bowls. “It’s cold. Go get yourselves some noodles with meat sauce.”
The beggars chorused, “Bless you, kind sirs! May you rise high and get rich!” They scurried away, leaving only the scrawny kid sitting on the curb.
The kid grinned and said, “You two are truly great benefactors. Look at all these people passing by—no one even spares us a glance. They’re afraid it’ll dirty their eyes.”
“We’re not great benefactors, and you’re definitely not a beggar,” Yuan Fang said. “I’ll be direct. Help me find someone.”
“If it were any other favor, I couldn’t help. But finding people—I’m good at that. I’ve begged at every household and remember the faces,” the kid said cheerfully. “Who are you looking for, and where do they live?”
Yuan Fang crouched on one knee and beckoned the kid closer. When the kid leaned in, Yuan Fang whispered, “Xian Gallery.”
The kid’s eyes flickered with shock. Recovering quickly, he played dumb and smiled ingratiatingly. “Forgive me, sir. Which gallery is Xian Gallery? I’ve never even heard of it!”
Yuan Fang pressed on, ignoring him. “I want someone’s life. Ordinary assassins won’t be able to do it. I need Xian Gallery to handle it and help me succeed.”
Pei Xiting’s gaze shifted, glancing at the back of Yuan Fang’s head thoughtfully.
“Take a life?” The kid stepped back in fear, his eyes darting. He gave a nervous laugh. “Sirs, I’m a law-abiding citizen. Sneaking a bit of food or drink is one thing, but murder and robbery—I wouldn’t dare—”
He froze as a sharp sting hit his neck. He touched it with his finger; it came away red.
When had that cut been made? He hadn’t sensed a thing!
A silver glint flashed between Yuan Fang’s fingers, and a blade twirled nimbly. He smiled at the kid. “Brother, do me a favor.”
“…” The kid was shocked inside. “Sir, it’s not that I’m being difficult. But Xian Gallery—the number one assassin organization—is unfathomable. If someone like me could find them, where would their reputation be?”
The kid glanced warily at the blade in Yuan Fang’s hand and said, almost jokingly, “Sir, with a skill like that—killing without a trace—maybe you should just do it yourself?”
It was a test and a suspicion. Pei Xiting snorted lightly at that. “Doing dangerous things yourself? Then what’s the point of hiring people to risk their lives? We have money—why should we take the risk?”
“But I really can’t find Xian Gallery. How about this?” The kid thought for a moment and proposed, “I know a way. Whatever you ask, you get—as long as you can afford the price.”
“Whatever you ask, you get?” Pei Xiting was clearly skeptical. “Is that even humanly possible?”
The kid made a shushing sound and said mysteriously, “Exactly. It’s not human—it’s an immortal!”
“An immortal?” Pei Xiting looked doubtful. “Do immortals really exist in this world?”
“The world is vast—nothing is impossible!” the kid said.
“That phrase does have its truth. So how does this ‘whatever you ask, you get’ work?” Pei Xiting sneered. “If you can’t explain, then your ‘immortal’ is just a con artist, and you’re his dog. You’re in this together to swindle money!”
“Hey!” The kid made a face like “How dare you!” and pointed behind him. “Right up ahead, there used to be two restaurants. They were rivals, competing for business, each wishing the other would go bankrupt and close. One day, the owner of Li’s Restaurant was blessed with good fortune and met an immortal. He poured out his wish. The immortal did some calculations and said, ‘Zhang’s Restaurant is dishonest in business and lacks virtue in conduct. Disaster will surely come.’ The very next day, Zhang’s Restaurant actually killed someone with their food and shut down for good.”
Poison, thought Pei Xiting. He put on a surprised expression. “That miraculous?”
“Of course!” Seeing Pei Xiting’s reaction soften, the kid clapped his hands and gave another example. “Then there’s Mr. Xu from the north of the city. He was filthy rich, but his family line was withering—no heir to inherit. Over the years, he took many concubines and consulted countless famous doctors, but none could produce a child. Then he got a miraculous elixir from the immortal, and two months later, his newest concubine was pregnant!”
Probably the neighbor’s kid, thought Pei Xiting. He looked shocked. “Really?!”
“Truer than gold!” the kid said. “Examples like this are endless. Otherwise, why would they be called immortals?”
Pei Xiting thought for a moment, then reached out and pulled Yuan Fang up, linking arms with him affectionately. “Brother Fang, that Xian Gallery sounds terrifying. Doing business with them is like siding with a tiger—dangerous! Why don’t we first ask the immortal for directions? If this immortal is really that miraculous, we won’t have to go searching for Xian Gallery’s door at all.”
Yuan Fang’s mouth twitched, but he played along indulgently. “…Whatever you say.”
The kid had been wondering which young master could command such skilled servants—he must have an extraordinary background, maybe even from the capital. At this sight, his eyebrows twitched. So it wasn’t master and servant; they were a pair of lovers!
He stole a glance at Pei Xiting and thought: So pretty—delicate face, slim waist, nice ass—and that soft, sweet voice. Probably a male prostitute from some establishment.
“Hey.” Pei Xiting shot a sidelong glare at the kid. “How are you going to set up the meeting for us?”
Snapping out of it, the kid pulled a wooden token from his chest and handed it over with a grin. “Tonight, at Baimei Fang. Light a hundred-flower lamp, and the immortal will descend from heaven.”
Yuan Fang took the token. “If the immortal can really help me, you won’t regret it.”
The kid smiled and said “Sure thing.” Then, seeing the two walk off arm in arm, he quickly grabbed his broken bowl and staff and left.
Under a moonlit sky dotted with sparse stars and the glow of ten thousand lamps, Pei Xiting and Yuan Fang entered Baimei Fang.
A brothel—embroidered curtains, pearl screens, wafting incense, melodious music, and a jostling crowd. Pei Xiting gripped Yuan Fang’s arm and shot a disdainful glance at a drunken man who brushed past him. “What’s wrong with people? Can’t watch where they’re going,” he muttered.
“Oh my, young master, don’t be upset! This one apologizes properly.” The madam swayed her hips over to them, looked them over, and smiled. “What a stunning pair! Please, upstairs.”
Pei Xiting exchanged a smile with Yuan Fang and followed the madam upstairs into a private room.
This scene caught Yu Shaoyun’s eye from across the way. He moved away from the window and glanced at the Crown Prince, who was lounging on a recliner flipping through documents. He hesitated, then walked over and said softly, “Master, Secretary Pei…”
The Crown Prince’s finger paused mid-page.
“Secretary Pei and Yuan Fang are here. They’re arm in arm, acting intimately, and,” Yu Shaoyun coughed, “Secretary Pei’s walk is different from usual.”
The Crown Prince looked up. “Meaning?”
“He’s swaying his hips,” Yu Shaoyun said. “Reminds me of that male prostitute who left not long ago.”
“He and Yuan Fang are just playing a role with false identities.” The Crown Prince withdrew his gaze. “Finish your report in one go. Don’t hem and haw and cause misunderstandings.”
Though Yu Shaoyun didn’t understand which word had caused any misunderstanding, he quickly agreed. Then he said, “Secretary Pei must have some purpose coming here. It might be about the cult and the ‘immortal’ as well.”
“With Yuan Fang and Jiezi there, it won’t be a major problem,” the Crown Prince said. “Let him do as he pleases.”
Meanwhile, the madam wiped the table with her handkerchief and asked, “What kind of wine would you two gentlemen like?”
“Bring a jug of Silver Light,” Pei Xiting said gracefully as he sat down, then pulled Yuan Fang to sit beside him.
The madam replied, “Yes, sir,” and lit a hundred-flower lamp at the door as she left.
Yuan Fang looked around the room and checked the lamp on the table, confirming it was safe. He nodded at Pei Xiting.
Pei Xiting sighed. “My waist is sore from all that swaying.”
This “immortal” was after money and only served the rich. If Pei Xiting pretended to be a young master, it would be troublesome to conceal his identity and might raise suspicion. So he figured he’d play the part of a kept boy—someone who was doted on by a rich patron before running off with their money and Yuan Fang. That way, even if the “immortal” investigated, it would be more troublesome and safer.
“Looks convincing enough,” Yuan Fang teased.
Pei Xiting shot him a flirty glance and was about to respond when Yuan Fang winked. He immediately shut his mouth.
The immortal messenger pushed open the door and smiled when she saw Pei Xiting quickly lift his head from Yuan Fang’s shoulder. “Sorry to interrupt you two.”
She set her tray on the table, sat down, and with a light flick of her sleeve, the door clicked shut.
“Young lady, you have remarkable martial skills.” Pei Xiting looked surprised, sizing up the woman sitting across from him. “May I ask your name?”
Xian Yin poured a glass of wine and slid it toward Yuan Fang. “This one is called Xian Yin.”
“Xian Yin?” Pei Xiting pouted. “We want to see the immortal.”
Xian Yin chuckled. “Isn’t she right here?”
Pei Xiting let out a “Ha” and wore a dissatisfied expression. “You? Forgive me, miss, you are indeed beautiful, but an immortal? Not in the slightest. You wouldn’t be trying to con us, would you?”
“Young master, calm yourself. Since I am an immortal, how could I meet mortals casually?” Xian Yin smiled, and when she spoke again, her voice had changed to a deep, husky tone. “My name is Xian Yin because I can hear the voices of immortals. I am merely their humble messenger.”
Pei Xiting barely kept from laughing. He looked half-believing. “Miss is truly the immortal’s messenger?”
Xian Yin nodded. “Indeed. If you two have a request, tell me, and I will pass it to the immortal.”
Pei Xiting looked at Yuan Fang, his expression full of dependence. “Brother Fang?”
“I want the immortal to help me kill my enemy,” Yuan Fang said.
“Requests like this are not uncommon,” Xian Yin said. “But may I ask who your enemy is?”
Yuan Fang’s face darkened with pain, and he pursed his lips, giving Pei Xiting the stage. Pei Xiting placed a hand on Yuan Fang’s back and took over. “The current Crown Prince.”
Xian Yin’s expression shifted slightly. “The Crown Prince?”
“Yes, the Crown Prince,” Pei Xiting said, looking at Yuan Fang with heartache. “The Crown Prince owes my Brother Fang a blood debt. We want nothing more than to kill him! But the Crown Prince is powerful, surrounded by experts. My Brother Fang can’t do it alone. That’s why we wanted to hire assassins from Xian Gallery.”
Xian Yin studied Pei Xiting’s expression. Seeing his eyes slightly red with pain and hatred, it didn’t seem fake. She turned her gaze to Yuan Fang. “May I ask where you are from, sir?”
This was a test of Yuan Fang’s background. Pei Xiting’s mind raced. He tried to secretly pinch Yuan Fang’s thigh under the table to write out a character.
Yuan Fang naturally grabbed Pei Xiting’s restless hand, looked at Xian Yin, and said in a heavy voice, “Southwest. Lingxi Manor.”
Xian Yin looked surprised. “You’re from the Chen family?”
Yuan Fang didn’t speak. Suddenly, he raised two fingers and tapped. The candle flame in the lamp snapped in two and went out with a puff.
“That’s the Lingxi Manor’s ‘Lingxi Touch.’” Xian Yin’s tensed jaw gradually relaxed. “Six years ago, all one hundred and twenty lives of Lingxi Manor were taken by the Crown Prince’s hand. Only the manor lord’s youngest disciple, who wasn’t in the manor at the time, escaped and has been missing ever since.”
Yuan Fang said, “I am Chen Shi’an.”
“So that’s how it is.” Xian Yin sighed. “The Crown Prince framed his brothers, poisoned his father, and wiped out entire families. His hands are soaked in blood—truly a tyrant! But the Crown Prince is still the Crown Prince. His life… is not an easy one to take.”
“Life isn’t easy? He’s still human.” Pei Xiting gritted his teeth. “Aren’t you immortals? Are you telling me you can’t handle a mere mortal?”
Xian Yin frowned and shook her head. “Protected by the true dragon’s mandate, he is naturally different from ordinary people.”
“Is the Crown Prince really a true dragon?” Pei Xiting knitted his brows. “Even the immortal messenger admits his position came through illegitimate means. Then he’s no true dragon. He’s a wyrm—no, a venomous snake! You immortals have divine power and a compassionate heart. Can’t you rid the world of this snake for the sake of the people and the nation?”
Yuan Fang: “…”
Pei Xiting ranted on, getting worked up. “We are powerless alone, so we have no choice but to beg the immortals. If the immortal is willing to help, we will give away all our wealth without a second thought!”
With that, he pulled a stack of banknotes from his sleeve. “This is a deposit. I beg the messenger to present an offering to the immortal and let him hear our plea!”
Yuan Fang looked at the stack of notes, his heart bleeding.
“The immortal is merciful and has the nation and its people in his heart.” Xian Yin withdrew her gaze, closed her eyes, and made a strange gesture. She was silent for a moment, then opened her eyes. “I have received the immortal’s decree. This matter is no small thing; it requires careful deliberation.”
“But—”
Yuan Fang pressed a hand on Pei Xiting’s shoulder. “I’ve held this grudge for years. A few more days won’t matter. Since the immortal says so, we can wait a little longer.”
Pei Xiting bit his lip, his chest heaving, but eventually he yielded. “Whatever Brother Fang says.”
Xian Yin smiled at this. “Please wait a bit longer. Once the immortal’s decree is sent down, I will hang a hundred-flower lamp outside this window.”
“Alright,” Yuan Fang nodded.
Xian Yin rose and left gracefully.
The door opened and closed again. Yuan Fang looked at Pei Xiting, who let out a long sigh. “Brother Fang, do you think this immortal can really help us?”
“I don’t know,” Yuan Fang shook his head. “But at this point, if there’s hope, I have to try.”
Pei Xiting slumped weakly onto Yuan Fang’s shoulder. “Through fire and flood, I’ll be with you.”
Yuan Fang said flatly, “Get lost.”
“Okay.” Pei Xiting straightened up immediately and glanced at the door. In a low voice, he said, “I swear, I’m holding back laughter so hard it hurts. This is just conning fools, isn’t it?”
“You’re pretty good at conning too,” Yuan Fang said. “Why bring up the Crown Prince?”
“They dare to traffic people, so they don’t care about the law. They run this cult and wave the ‘immortal’ banner. Chances are they resent the government’s control and want to be something even greater than a true dragon emperor. Anyway, they’re not pro-government. So even if they don’t take the job, they won’t suspect us.” Pei Xiting stroked his chin. “Now, I have a guess.”
Yuan Fang said, “What?”
“During my impassioned performance, did you notice Xian Yin’s expression?” Pei Xiting said. “There was a flash of murder in her eyes. She might really be an enemy of the Crown Prince.”
“That’s not surprising,” Yuan Fang said. “The Crown Prince has countless enemies.”
Pei Xiting scratched his head. “Hey, what’s Lingxi Manor?”
“It was a force in the southwest. The entire manor was full of beasts—arson, looting, murder, nothing they wouldn’t do. Later, the Crown Prince organized a purge and wiped them out. That’s old history.” Yuan Fang said.
“Then how did you—” Pei Xiting mimed a double-finger tap toward the lamp. “Whoosh!”
Yuan Fang smiled almost imperceptibly. “Because I really am Chen Shi’an.”
Pei Xiting’s eyes went wide. “The Crown Prince killed your whole family?”
Yuan Fang narrowed his eyes. “Guess?”
“…” Pei Xiting hugged himself and rolled his eyes. Then he said, “I get it. You went deep into the den and coordinated from inside?”
Yuan Fang didn’t answer, which was as good as a yes.
“So then,” Pei Xiting said, “what’s the relationship between the Crown Prince and Xian Gallery?”
Yuan Fang said, “Xian Gallery doesn’t belong to the court, but the Crown Prince is friends with the current Gallery Master. Back when Xian Gallery had an internal conflict, the Crown Prince helped the current Master gain power. So they’re allies.”
“Wow,” Pei Xiting remarked. “The Crown Prince really got around in those years outside the capital.”
“You bet,” Yuan Fang said.
“So that ‘creditor’ of yours—is it that Gallery Master? Did you betray Xian Gallery, or did you sneak away after making a mistake?” Pei Xiting looked worried. “What if he comes knocking one day? How am I supposed to protect you?”
Yuan Fang almost laughed. “If you can seize the chance to run for your life without looking back, I’ll be thanking heaven and earth.”
Weakling Pei had no retort. He slapped the table in frustration and stood up. “Retreat!”
The two left Baimei Fang arm in arm, looking lovey-dovey. Shortly after, Yu Shaoyun received a message from Jiezi and presented it to the Crown Prince.
The Crown Prince skimmed it, his gaze lingering on words like “Brother Fang,” “wyrm,” “venomous snake,” and “protect.” Yu Shaoyun dryly commented, “Secretary Pei sure knows how to spin a tale, haha.”
“In his words,” the Crown Prince said, “this is ‘fighting magic with magic.’ He’s trying to draw the snake out of its hole. But the money he has isn’t enough. Tell He Ying to give him the token for the money shop at some point, but don’t mention me.”
Yu Shaoyun acknowledged with a “Yes.”
The door opened softly, and a guard entered, presenting a blood-red jade token. “Master, an invitation from Gallery Master Fu.”
“Why is Gallery Master Fu suddenly in these parts?” Yu Shaoyun took the token.
The Crown Prince was still looking at the message and didn’t look up. “No time.”
“Gallery Master Fu ordered a lamb hotpot at the mutton shop and is waiting for you to pay. Also, Secretary Pei just entered that same mutton shop. Gallery Master Fu says…”
The Crown Prince said, “Says what?”
The guard cleared his throat. “Gallery Master Fu says: ‘If the Crown Prince is too stingy to spare a few coins, I’ll let the future Crown Princess pay for me.’”
“…” The Crown Prince reached out, took the jade token from Yu Shaoyun’s hand, and crushed it into powder with a blank expression.